Future scenarios could include contactless payments for ad-hoc transactions including general shopping, paying for your petrol, public transport, parking and road tolls.

Prof. Raymond Freymann, managing director of BMW Group Research and Technology, said:

"In cooperation with NXP we are doing research in enhancing the capabilities of the car key into one smart device for access, payment, and services that will simplify the lives of BMW car drivers in future. It will help us to stay in touch with our drivers directly and deliver a complete range of mobility-enhancing services."